held up in midfield, headway to chase leader before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, kept on one pace in 3rd approaching last
travelled strongly, held up in rear, smooth headway before 8th, led 9th, a length ahead 3 out, travelling best when 3 lengths clear 2 out, readily went clear before last, pushed out run-in, easily
midfield, headway 7th, lost position before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
disputed lead, headed 3rd where not fluent, led 7th, headed 9th, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, kept on one pace approaching last
disputed lead before 1st where not fluent and headed, soon prominent, not fluent 7th where lost position, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, tailed off before last
awkward 1st, held up in midfield, mistake 9th, soon ridden and outpaced, tailed off before last
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, soon chased leader and ridden, 3 lengths down 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
disputed lead 1st, not fluent 2nd, led outright 3rd, not fluent 7th and headed, lost position before 9th, soon ridden, tailed off before 2 out
Few arrive in any sort of form and the testing ground is a worry for Abaya Du Mathan, who finished runner-up in both of last month’s outings. HECTOR MASTER (NAP) is preferred as he posted a better effort when second at Kelso on his second start after wind surgery and Lucinda Russell’s yard remains among the winners. Yellow Jacket placed on heavy going early in the year but points winner Ballybeg Boss debuts over regulation fences on his reappearance.
Ballybeg Boss (IRE) Evensfav (11-6) Pressed winner, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 7, 24l behind Cold Sobar (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 1f mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
Force De Frap (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 5th, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, 3rd when not fluent last, one pace, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Great Ocean (12-0) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Abaya Du Mathan (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Tracked winner, ridden 2 join winner 2 out, stayed on one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Cartonne (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Hector Master (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division out wide, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, keeping on approaching last, rapid late headway for 2nd, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Fearless Action (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Valirann Gold (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Led, went left 3rd, pushed along and headed before 4 out, lost 2nd soon after, weakened and tired mistake 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind King Turgeon (12-2) at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Higgs (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent, slow 1st, chased leaders from 3rd, mistake 6th, lost place 11th, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
Yellow Jacket 11-8fav (10-8) Prominent, pressed leader before 3 out, briefly led before 2 out, soon ridden, 2 lengths down approaching last, weakened run-in, 4th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Ardmayle (12-1) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Royal Act 33-1 (10-3) Led, mistake 2nd, jumped right at times, hit 5th and reminders, not fluent 8th and headed, weakened before 4 out, at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
